Scroll Saw recommendations?

Scooter Marriner · Post by **Scooter Marriner** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 12:24 pm

I'm thinking of getting a scroll saw to cut the occasional letter or detail bit (as well as for some personal projects) and I'm looking for suggestions about which models to consider. Most of the time I'll probably still send things out for CNC work, but for freehand things (like leaves or cartoon cutouts or other, less finicky things) the scroll saw seems like a good solution. 1/2" and 3/4" MDF and MDO are the most likely materials, with maybe some pine and fir. I'd like to have something in-house so I can mess around with shapes and not have to commit to sending them out for cutting. My handheld jigsaw is a good one, but isn't the right tool for these things.

I saw a 20" Dewalt yesterday for $440... seemed like maybe more than I need, but I'm willing to spend more for the right tool.

I don't have room in my shop for a CNC router (not even the "little buddy" size).

Raymond Chapman · Post by **Raymond Chapman** » Mon Jul 28, 2008 6:13 pm

We have a Dremel that has cut out lots of letters. (At least, my son Mike has) The only problem we've encountered is getting HDU dust into the switch, but the newer models have a clear plastic covering over the switches. Also, we now have a CNC machine (ShopBot) so the scroll gathers a lot of dust these days.

Whatever you consider I would most definately get variable speed, a light, and one that has those little nozzles that blow away the dust.

Post by **Mike Jackson** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 10:02 am

Scooter,
It has been a long time since I was looking at them, but it seemed the problem the little scroll saws had was cutting thicker materials, such as 3/4" MDO. They worked fine on the thin plywood veneer materials. After checking them out, I eventually bought a small band saw and later a larger one. That was before we had options of the CNC routers.

We have a consumer model Rockwell desktop bandsaw here in the garage/shop. It comes in handy, but I wouldn't want to make my living with it.

Danny Baronian used to work at a place that cut letters out using band saws. They'd drill a hole for the letter centers, cut the blade, thread it through and reweld the blade for each letter. He can expand on it someday.

At any rate, before I purchased a scroll saw, I'd go somewhere with a piece of 3/4" mdo and give it a test run.

Raymond Chapman · Post by **Raymond Chapman** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 11:00 am

Mike is right (as usual) - scroll saws are mainly for cutting thinner materials. Thicker HDU is no problem.

For 3/4" or thicker wood or plywood we use a 14" Delta bandsaw. The inside of letters were done with a jig saw - drill a hole, insert the blade and pull the trigger.

Post by **Mike Jackson** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 11:49 am

I should add that when I was searching around, I read all the rave reviews of the Cutawls. I bought one and after about 15 minutes realized it wasn't made for thicker materials either. It works fine for the thin materials, cork, cardboard and so forth, but not plywood or MDO. There is some skill required to cut accurately with any of the tools, but it would take an enormous amount of time to master a Cutawl (in my opinion anyway).

Good luck with your quest.

Scooter Marriner · Post by **Scooter Marriner** » Tue Jul 29, 2008 12:01 pm

thanks guys.

I bought the new 18" Dremel. Its stronger than the 16" machines, but half the price of the $450 20" Dewalt (and it has a port for dust collection). If I need to cut 3/4" MDO, then I can always cut a pattern from 1/4" hardboard (masonite) and use the router to trace the pattern.

also, it might come in handy just for cutting patterns to use when I'm using the router on large panels.